Contact printing machine with phototype



Oct. 28, 1952 MURPHY 2,615,380

CONTACT PRINTING MACHINE WITH PHOTOTYPE Filed D80- 1, 1948 2 SHEETSSl-IEET 1 15 Z6 24 z? x E k W AVAVA Y AWAY/AW IN V ENTOR. W Ww Oct. 28, 1952 J. F. MURPHY 2,615,380

CONTACT PRINTING MACHINE WITH PHOTOTYPE Filed Dec. 1, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

WW I W Patented Oct. 28, 1952 CONTACT PRINTING ,MACHINE wrrn --,rno'ro'rrrn i.

Joseph F. Murphy, West Roxbury, -Mass'., 'assigno 1 Claim;

1 The present invention comprises a new and improved machine for contact printing adapted for the employment of individual type blocks a wide range of type faces, for example, from 36 point to 144 point, and the machine includes means whereby the type may be rapidly assembled in perfect alignment. Preferably the individual type blocks comprise a clear plastic body coated with opaque varnish or the like, in which are formed the negative characters. If desired .both upper and lower faces of the type blocks are treated with protective varnish which prevents scratches in wear and repeated use.

The individual type blocks are accurately machined and fit smoothly together so as to prevent light from passing through the assembled blocks except within the contour of the transparent negatives.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the type holding portion of the machine showing typical type blocks in place,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the complete machine, and

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a single type body.

The machine as herein illustrated comprises a casin l having a stationary cover section H to which is hinged a two-part cover l2-l3 connected to an operating lever M. The casing l0 contains an electric lamp which is controlled by a switch not shown.

The top of the casing is provided with a horizontal type holder which is best shown in Fig. 1. This comprises side members l5 and I 6 and end members I! and I8 forming a horizontally disposed frame. All of the frame members are shouldered to provide an inwardly proto Lumitype Corporation fltoxbury; Mass., a corporation oIMaSsachusetts- 1 Application December 1, 1943; *s 'ria1fl v 'j62's95 (oi. 957-7317. I

videdwith oppositely arranged slots in which may placed'in'selected positions the ends of cross bar's 19. These bars have inverted'T--'shaped cross-section and so provide type supporting ledges on both sides which cooperate with the ledges of the side and end members of the frame.

The individual type blocks employed in connection with the frame are of the character shown in Fig. 4, that is to say, the rectangular body is of transparent resinous material such as Lucite. The sides and upper surfaces are coated with an opaque varnish in which is de picted in reverse the transparent outline of a letter. For example, in Fig. 4 the type body 20 has an opaque coating 2| defining the contour of a transparent e 22. Each type block is also provided at its upper end with a spot 23 which indicates visually to the printer how the type blockshould be placed in the supporting frame. The spot is located symmetrically above the outline of the letter and in the marginal portion of the block which overlaps the supporting ledge of the frame or cross bar.

The notches in the end members of the frame are so arranged that the bars [9 may be located with the proper spacin to support type blocks of the desired different sizes. As shown in Fig. 1, the side frame member I6 and one of the bars l9 support type blocks 24 displaying capital letters in point size. Two of the intermediate bars I9 support type blocks 25displaying transparent figures in 36 point size, and another pair of bars l9 support type blocks 26 displaying letters in 48 point size. When the type blocks are arranged with the longitudinal edges in contact, their opaque coating forms a continuous screen and no light can pass through the assembly except in the transparent areas depicting the letters.

When the type has been set in the holder, the printer places a sheet of photographic paper immediately on the type form. The cover is then pulled down, holding the paper and type together in close and continuous contact and the light within the casing is turned on for a predetermined interval, generally determined by an automatic timer. The exposed paper is then removed and developed whereupon the type is reproduced as a positive impression on the paper. The printer may then use this paper positive as a paste-up for rephotographing, or he can use film on the printer for plating.

Preferably and as herein shown, a thin layer 24 of transparent lacquer, which may be of any suitable plastic material, is laid over the face of the type block. This forms a protective shell that keeps the face of the type clean and stainproof. It is impervious to grease and perspiration, and any dirt falling thereon may readily be removed. The lacquer coating is perfectly united to the type face without wrinkles or blemishes.

Having thus disclosed my invention and described in detail an illustrative embodiment thereof, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent: v

A contact printing device for holding type blocks having thereon transparent letters, said device comprising a rectangular lamp-enclosing casing presenting at its top a typeholder which includes in its structure a rectangular frame having side members and transverse end members all shouldered and providing a continuous marginal ledge inside the casing, the end members having upwardly opening slots at oppositely located' points, and a series of transverse bars removably fitting into the slots of the end members and retained in spaced position thereby and 4 having ledges on both sides disposed at the same level as the marginal ledges, a hinged cover overlying the area of the type holder, and an operating handle for the cover.

JOSEPH F. MURPHY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Murphy Nov. 29, 1949 

